Izanami, "she who invites", is based on Izanami-no-Mikoto, the former wife of Izanagi-no-Mikoto in Japanese mythology. They were both divine beings summoned by the first Gods to create the first lands, and also gave birth to other deities including Amaterasu, Susanoo and Tsukuyomi.

After the birth to Kagu-tsuchi, the Deity of Fire, she died from the severe burns of the flames, and ended up in Yomi, the Land of the Dead. There, she became the Goddess of the Land of the Dead.